Monday, November 7, 2016

(Brief) Speech to BPS Military Psychology Conference

Last week, in my role as BPS President, I gave some opening remarks to the 5th Annual Military Psychology Conference. I've posted my notes (the exact words used may have differed, of course) below.

5th Military Psychology Conference: BPS
President Opening Remarks

Thank you. I am absolutely delighted to have
been invited today, to open this year’s BPS Wessex Branch Military Psychology
Conference. Now in its fifth year.

The previous conferences have focussed on
themes around the psychological wellbeing of serving and veteran military
personnel and military families. Essentially, healthcare psychology, with the
military community.

This year’s conference is focussing on a broader
theme, Peacekeeping and Stabilisation,
and this has further expanded the range of psychology and related disciplines
involved in today’s event. You will also note that this year’s conference title
includes the words ‘Defence and Security’.
This reflects the establishment of a new BPS Defence and Security section –
an important step for the Society.

The Strategic Aims of the British
Psychological Society are: “to promote the advancement and diffusion of a
knowledge of psychology pure and applied”. As psychologists, we’re interested
in prenatal care, in child and maternal mental health, in education, in
criminal justice, in care for people – like me – entering what the Japanese
beautifully refer to as ‘silvering’ years.

That speaks to the breadth of psychology – we
are interested and engaged in everything that matters to human welfare. And
that includes our collective security. Every member of our community is
affected by the many ongoing security challenges, including economic,
environmental, social-justice, terrorism, cyber-crime, as well as fragile
states overseas.

As a result of some of the work I’ve done in
the field of mental health is that, a few years ago, I was named by the
Fundamental Rights Agency, in Vienna, as a “Defender of Human Rights”.I even got a paperweight.

As a psychologist, I’ve argued that we collectively
bring science, professional skills and values to our work.

That triad has failed in the past. We,
collectively, failed with Guatanamo Bay and waterboarding. We have failed with
Eugenics, where certainly within the lifetime of my parents, psychologists have
actively supported policies that I repudiate. In my opinion, we continue to
fail with labelling, diagnosis and pathologising language in the field of
mental health.

But it doesn’t need to fail with respect to
our collective security

In my world, the proponents of CBT –
cognitive behavioural therapy – praise the philosopher Epictetus – 'there
is nothing good or evil save in the will' – or ... As Shakespeare’s
Hamlet puts it: 'there is nothing either good or bad, but
thinking makes it so'.

I’d extend this: There’s nothing good or evil except in how we use it…

The UN says: “Military
personnel are the backbone and the most visible component of a peacekeeping
operation.” I agree. So… once again… psychology is at the heart of the issue:

-the psychology of conflict

-the psychology of trauma

oto
civilians

oto
members of the armed forces

-and
of course, the psychology of decision-making under extraordinary pressure

Military personnel are the backbone of
peacekeeping operations. I’m glad the warriors are out there, protecting my
children and grandson from harm… and I’m glad we’re here as psychologists
helping them in their work.

My only final words are to quote – and
mis-quote – Epictetus and Shakespeare: There’s nothing good or evil except in
how we employ it…

I am aware of the fragility of the society in
which I hope to see my children flourish. I am aware of the role played by the
military in defending my safety. I would urge you as psychologists, and our
colleagues in the military – to remember our primary duty to uphold and defend
– to defend – fundamental human rights.

Which brings me round full circle. As
psychologists, we are interested and engaged in everything that matters to
human welfare. This of course includes our collective security. The new Defence
and Security Section of the BPS will aim to further the understanding of the
psychological issues in defence and security; to promote appropriate research;
to provide a forum for discussing scientific, practical and ethical issues; and
bring together researchers and practitioners inside, and outside the Society.

If you’re interested – and I hope you are -
please visit the website and then spread the word!

This conference, the new Section, and the
work of colleagues in the military and security services that you’re discussing
here, are valuable and important. I thank you for it, and I hope you have a
great conference